Kitten care – bringing a new kitten home

There's nothing quite like bringing a new kitten into your home. They are a lot of fun to play with and often help bring the family together. If you've got a new feline friend in your life you might have some pressing questions around kitten care, like 'how to potty train a kitten', or about introducing a kitten to an older cat. In this article, we run through some common questions when it comes to how to take care of a kitten at home. 

Bringing a new kitten home is a great adventure, but while your cat settles into his or her new home, you should be ready for any potential mishaps by having a germ-killing household cleaner like Domestos Thick Bleach close by. Just remember to keep kitty away from the area while cleaning up as cleaners can be damaging to their health.

How should I prepare for bringing a new kitten home?

Bringing a new cat home can require you to make a few changes beforehand. For example, it's important that you ensure you have lots of space for your kitten to play in, as well as small cubby holes or relaxed areas where s/he can hide if s/he wants to. You'll also need to prepare somewhere for your kitten to do its necessities and check your home for any potential hazards such as sharp surfaces or heavy things that could fall. 

Is there any advice on introducing a kitten to an older cat?

If you're looking for advice on introducing a kitten to an older cat the trick is to take the process slowly, otherwise, it's easy for both to get overwhelmed. It's important that kittens and cats don't feel like they're in competition with each other, so ensure you have lots of food and space for both.

Be sure to set up a separate area for the new kitten away from your current cat, so that neither has to encroach on the other's space! If you need further advice, seek it out from experts that help with things like how to train a cat or speak to your local vet.

Remember, when it comes to looking after pets, if in doubt always seek the advice of an expert.

What do kittens need? A new kitten checklist

It's easy to get a bit overwhelmed when trying to work out what do kittens need. There's always a new toy out there to buy, but it's important to make sure you have some key basics to begin with. These include: 

1. A litter box 

2. Kitten-appropriate food 

3. A germ-killing household cleaner, such as Domestos Thick Bleach

4. Some toys (but it doesn't have to be lots!)

5. A scratching post

6. Pet insurance

7. A local vet 

What do kittens eat?

There is specially formulated kitten food on the market that is designed for younger cats. When wondering what to feed kittens, always make sure they get all the nutrients they need to grow up strong and healthy while making sure they get enough energy to enjoy their active lives. 

If you're bringing a new kitten home, savour the exciting time with them as they learn and explore new things. If in doubt about anything always speak to your vet, but most of all have fun with your lovely new pet!

• Introduce them slowly to a new environment, including other pets.

• Make sure they have enough space to roam and explore.

• Feed them dedicated kitten food to make sure they’re well nourished.